KZ PR3 Review & Comparison

The successor to KZ PR1, PR1 Pro and PR2, KZ P3 has a big shoe to fill in.
00:00 Intro
00:45 Price. Specs & Build
02:55 Sound & Performance
09:51 Rating & Comparison
11:43 Reflections
Shot On:
- Sony Alpha A6700 (Native 4K50P XAVC HS 4.2.2)
- Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM
- RØDE Wireless Pro
My Tidal Version Playlist:
tidal.com/browse/playlist/ba3...
My Gaming Channel:
/ @feveredpitchdelirium
My Twitch Channel:
/ fpdelirium
#donglemadness Dongle Ranking List:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

[@n0qu4rt3r]

I took the risk and bought the non-mesh version of PR2, and I also got the PR3. PR3 is, to me, the better choice with a bit more refined sound but treble fatigue is still present

[@TrevorHarris-ek9hf]

Got pr3 as well. I think that's not a tuning issue but different tastes worldwide.

[@Solartico]

The objectivity and thoroughness of your review is SO pleasing. Keep up the GREAT work amigo. GRACIAS!

[@donglemadness]

Saludos. And gracias!

[@Whit-mh9nt]

Best reviewer online. Crin and HBB both have products to sell. They are good but not as objective.

[@DarenLee]

Very nice review bro. I think I might get this. Sounds like suitable for my liking.

[@honeyblunt5150]

Good stuff Andy, I always learn so much from your videos 👍

[@donglemadness]

Thank you!

[@ai6914]

love the new setup very smooth sound and recording nice review !!

[@donglemadness]

Glad you enjoy it! Thanks!

[@RyanChoo]

Hi Andy, from your earlier review of the KZ PR2, I do find it to be highly energetic in the treble region and have to EQ it for longer listening sessions. Once I paired it with my tube amplifier, it is forgiving and I enjoy the music presentation more. So, I think it is a keeper! By the way, my Hidizs MP 145 arrived before Thanksgiving and I am enjoying it everyday. Thank you for your excellent review and recommendation as always!

[@donglemadness]

My pleasure. And enjoy your music there!

[@stevenclive8910]

One of the best reviewers, hands down. Keep up the good work and all the best. Hopefully in a couple of years you will get the recognition that you deserve 👍

[@donglemadness]

Thanks Steven, your words gave me motivation to do better. Wishing you a great year ahead and beyond!

[@mcjonner]

Subscribed! Sorry to see your site down, youve done so much for this scene and we really appreciate your work. Last time i looked at your site there was 1 dongle dac that was 5 star and was reasonably priced around $75-100, there was only one near that price point, do you remember which one it was?? Id really appreciate it, i can afford it better now...

[@donglemadness]

There's three of them now, iBasso DC04Pro, DC03Pro and Colorfly CDA-M1P within that price

[@mcjonner]

​@@donglemadness awesome really thanks!! Looking forward to listening to one of those

[@hellraizzer5267]

One of the best reviews on youtube, mate👍 But when we'll see a good audio quality in your vids? It will be a significant improvment and will make your videos much more enjoyable

[@donglemadness]

Thank you. And what would be the issue that I need to fix with the Audio? I have already tried over 10 microphones and spent in excess of USD $700 so far with them, I would like to know what I need to fix? appreciate your feedback

[@tiobryanfull]

isn't the video encoding?

[@donglemadness]

@@tiobryanfull Sometimes, you have a good video encoded and when uploaded to KZbin, additional compression can emit artifacts in the sound

[@illitero]

There's a small amount of reverberation/echo from the mic picking up the background, but the quality itself is otherwise good given how most of us are listening. I assume you may be imagining a more intimate "studio" sound with a condenser mic, but that's honestly the worst for people in our hobby to hear since it's almost a guarantee we're listening through hifi headphones or IEMs - we don't need to hear all that mouth noise hahaha It's funny that I came across this comment because I left a comment on one of Joshua Valour's recent videos where all you can hear is wet mouth ticks and BOOMING thumps as he continuously thumps his hands on the table, which is hilarious to me since he's one of the most famous audiophile guys on KZbin. So yeah, with our equipment, we _need_ a little space between presentator and microphone 😅

[@ellisgarvin]

I LOVE how info-dense and yet clear, well organized and easy to follow this review is. Well done! Liked and subscribed.

[@donglemadness]

Awesome, thank you!

[@nmatheis]

SLAYER 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘 Nice review as always, Andy. I will definitely find them offensive and will be skipping these... I want to see you in an Oranssi Pazuzu shirt one of these days!!!

[@donglemadness]

Rock on!

[@antoniskretsis3410]

After getting dc04pro and tanchjim zero based on your reviews (thanks !) I would like your opinion please. Did you had a chance listening to the pr2 v2 (no mesh, higher treble) which is currently available? If yes how would you compare Tanchjim zero vs PR3 vs PR2 v2 ? I am forming the comparison like this since you praised tanchjim zero and could serve as a base of comparison since it is fast with relatively neutral/treble response. Thanks!

[@donglemadness]

Unfortunately I haven't tried the other variations of PR2, mine was the one with the black cloth inside so it could sound different from the current ones. The main differences between a DD and Planar is the way they handle speed and transients. Normally I would say that DD tends to offer less speed than planars, but Tanchjim ZERO apparently was made of thick DD which in turn after a certain period of time will behave like a Planar, offering speed. Speed = better ability to resolve sound even if they get more complex, typically a slow driver will sound congested when subjected to complex music. I personally feel that despite my love for Tanchjim ZERO, when it comes to transient speed planars tend to do it better due to solid state nature of them which does not need to vibrate to emit sound, so with this in mind, PR2 and PR3 has slightly better speed handling to T Zero. PR2 and R3 will also exhibit better extensions on the upper frequency of which I have noted in my review of T Zero, it does have Roll Off point (which is why I like it really, less extensions tend to be less likely to be sibilant with Treble edge when subjected to aggressive mastering). I hope I am making some sense here and give you some ideas on this subject

[@antoniskretsis3410]

@@donglemadness yes you do. Great answer, thanks a lot!!

[@mrbora2]

Gr8 review, what kind of cable will you recommend?

[@donglemadness]

Thanks. I would recommend 6N OCC Copper like NICEHCK MixPP

[@mrbora2]

@@donglemadness interesting put it in the cart, tried before the NiceHCK GreyRhino, the bass almost disappear - yet with NiceHCK Earphone Cable Wire 16 Cores High Purity Copper Earbud Cable the bass is strong

[@danielnainggolan8702]

is there any good type C cable that compatible with the KZ PR3?

[@ekocahyowibowost.6219]

I'd love the way you review

[@donglemadness]

Cheers 🤘

[@cheetoost71]

I am choosing between KZ PR3 and AS24. I have used an AS12 before and I loved it. I am currently using the S12 pro and it doesn't give me enough upper tone I want compared to the AS12. I am also looking for a quite precise imaging and positioning for competitive gaming too, which one would you recommend between the PR3 and AS24? Thanks!

[@donglemadness]

Bteween AS24 and PR3, then it is a clear choice to use PR3 for your purpose. AS24 have some issues with coherency of sound and PR3 offer strong macro and micro details with crisp imaging, where it will be useful for gaming

[@cheetoost71]

@@donglemadness I just got my PR3 and I'm enjoying it a lot! Thank you for helping me out. Love your contents!

[@linconleandro]

Andy, what do you think of TRN Rosefinch?

[@donglemadness]

I will need to try it first to know what I think of it. Thanks

[@tctterry]

Hi Andy, thank you for your review. How does it compare with PR1 Pro? Downgrade or Upgrade?

[@donglemadness]

My pleasure. Unfortunately, I did not mention PR1 Pro because I didn't have the opportunity to try one, so I really don't know how they would compare

[@tctterry]

@@donglemadness No worries. Thanks Bro. ☺️

[@zgreeeg]

I am thinking about KZ PR2 or PR3. I have S12 PRO and I lack a bit of resolution at the top. I listen to DAP Shanling M3U, M6U, XD05 PRO - so I would not miss the power that you recommend?

[@donglemadness]

S12 Pro is hard to beat really. But if you looking to try top end resolution with bolder decays and imaging, then PR3 might work for you. Otherwise I would say get Hidizs MP145, Tangzu Heyday or DUNU Talos

[@zgreeeg]

@@donglemadnessThx, I will think about the planar ones. I am thinking too about Simgot EA500 / EA500lm; EW200. At the beginning I would order EW200 - they have a rather safe tuning. What do you think about Eml6? In addition, Trn Ba16 caught my eye ;) . I listen to electronic, classical music, rock. I like how the strings sound and there is a high resolution with the subbas marked. I have DT 990 (600 OHM), HFman Sundara, Ultrasone, Phillips X2HR etc. From this earphones and it seems to me that the resolution is on the Bayerdynamic side and timbre sound of Ultrasone.

[@matusjurcik6974]

a big portion of that pr3 glare is from the stock cable itself (yinihoo 16 core eill sound smoother, fuller with better resolution) :)

[@donglemadness]

I don't even use the stock cable, as noted in the video I used Kinera Leyding cable which is one of the smoothest cable I have with me

[@matusjurcik6974]

@@donglemadness I understand, but there is a chance that kinera cable also does similar thing to the sound as the stock one, did u check it back to back with generic cables and heard a difference in the sound?

[@matusjurcik6974]

all in all the yinyoo 16 core is quite unique in the sound characteristics :) and its 15 bucks

[@donglemadness]

@@matusjurcik6974 Yes I did, Leyding as noted is a very refined copper and I have been using it for 2 years if I need anything to manage brightness without losing resolution. I have tons of other cables and Leyding is still the smoothest one

[@ilbreeze1]

Good and very useful review, thank you. It's a bit incomplete though. 1. Would be great to add the $$$ raw to put everything in proportions 2. EQ/PEQ-ing these IEMs with Android or DACs can easily fix most of the issues mentioned by this review. Which will add up to another 5-7 points to the final score. Yet, it won't do much for IEMs that already have the perfect score in the area of tuning/balancing bass/mids/treble. Bottom line, EQ-ing can raise the sub-$50 PR3's score to ~85. Which is impressive when compared to $200 Timeless.

[@donglemadness]

Thanks for the feedbacks

[@quinschoonewelle7617]

It is a hit or a miss with KZ. I have both the PR2 HBB and PR3. My PR2 is way more sibilant than the PR3. The sound is also more "clean" in total on the PR3. I used both with tripowin 16 core cable and Ibasso dc04pro. I am actually more happy and enthusiastic with the PR3

[@Whit-mh9nt]

PR 2 had a problem in that there are three itierations, only the first one is the actual hbb tuning and setup. The first one is brilliant. It really is something special. I got it by searching a shop that had stocked 5 of them when they were first introduced, and still had one as a demo model. I bought the demo. I have heard both the other iterations ane they are not good, the one with the black cloth strip inside and he next one , where the again removed it. They both have very sharp peak around 8 to 10k and its not a smooth transition and there is a lot of honk in both of them.

[@quinschoonewelle7617]

I noticed the "mesh" debate on Reddit. Any mesh/nozzle mods that are worth a try? Thnx

[@Whit-mh9nt]

@@quinschoonewelle7617 try 350 or 400 mesh in the nozzle

[@diyaansworld4731]

Can u suggest me a bass rumble attacking sounded iem upto 250$ i purchased oriveti od200 but I didn’t liked it my airpods pro 2 are more better i want a upgrade sound

[@donglemadness]

You want big Bass? Try AFUL P5 or BASN Metalen. Or at least KZ Castor Harman Bass version

[@UnstoppableAngler]

Hello sir i have CCA CRA im using it with KZ-AZ 15 Blooth adapter and while gaming im using those with wire can i able to use PR3 with these adaptor (kz az 15) does it able to provide the power that pr3 needs and can i able to use pr3 with wire only do i get good base and sound i dont have amd - dac

[@donglemadness]

I wish I know how to answer you as I never tried AZ 15 BT adapter. I can only assume it will work with enough power but don't expect too much because planars tend to sound the best with more powerful DAC/Amps

[@UnstoppableAngler]

@@donglemadness ok 👍🏿

[@lior3385]

hey andy. i see the pr2 and mp145..do you think the 145 Is it worth the extra money?

[@donglemadness]

Yes, absolutely. MP145 is superior in every way to PR2 or any other magnetic planars I have tested, except that now I like SIVGA Nightingale more than anything else personally

[@lior3385]

@@donglemadness and what you think about ARTTI T10?

[@donglemadness]

@@lior3385 No idea about any Arrti IEMs, haven't tried any of them

[@zygote8888]

​@@lior3385I've ARTTI T10

[@NitishKumar-mh4nj]

Thanks for your unconditionally last recommendation i.e castor bass my first iem ❤. Should I upgrade my kz castor bass to pr3 or you want to give another recommendation, my only love is industrial techno.

[@donglemadness]

I would say better stick to Castor Bass version since you are into Industrial Techno

[@910do]

I'm getting tired of being basshead. I'm using HBB Khan right now. Will this be a great leap from Khan?

[@donglemadness]

Yes, it in will be a good change

[@user-pr2my9sm3x]

Спасибо за обзор, скажите, а от телефона , в отличие от пр2 они играют ?

[@donglemadness]

Please watch the video and look at 03:32, the answer you seek is there

[@user-pr2my9sm3x]

​@@donglemadnessспасибо, подписался, неужели есть объективные обзорщики ещё 😮

[@nitinthakur4407]

This one vs kz zar which one is better sound quality and my preference loud and base with long time session

[@donglemadness]

Loud and Bassy? I think you will like KZ Castor Bass version or even the older KZ DQ6S better

[@KryzuKJB]

Can you pls review the Shanling UA4 already

[@donglemadness]

All in order, I will not rush as I have 7 dongles to test here all need to be reviewed in December. Thanks

[@KryzuKJB]

@@donglemadness Alright

[@camotech1314]

That's kinda rude lol

[@user-uz5bb6bz2s]

treble performance pr3 just 7? serously

[@hanquah]

Sir do u think pr1 pro is worth over this mess of pr2+pr3?

[@donglemadness]

Hard to tell as I never tried PR1 Pro myself, otherwise I would still pick PR2 over the other PRs that I have tried

[@masataaizee]

KZ.... the worrying about them is silently change inside after few month it released. *Looking at PR2😑* I really want to buy to taste planar sound but nope😕. Thankfully Castor not get infected, well not yet tho...

[@Whit-mh9nt]

Get pr1 pro in that case..

[@user-ip3zz7dj3f]

Listening hrs later, pr3 is nice and doesnt upset me.

[@andresvr8357]

¿Have do You test musehifi m3 ii?

[@donglemadness]

No I don't

[@donglemadness]

No I don't

[@Darkoholic]

Can I connect these to my phone without an amp or DAC??😶

[@donglemadness]

Yes you can, but don't expect full performance from it especially if your phone is rated 1 VRMS and below

[@AbhimanyusinghJyotirmay-rv3bf]

Why don't u review chu 2 and compare it with tanchjim zero?

[@donglemadness]

Because I don't have it. With so many IEMs released it is hard to keep track of everything

[@ATBHDX]

How is fiio btr15 ?

[@donglemadness]

Still testing

[@yds1133]

Akros bought 3 sets and all 3 had different tunings lmao. Beats me in wonder how many are discussing the same iem but are actually experiencing different tuning altogether. I laugh but honestly i am sad. Im just a lowly below average guy. I cant afford buying 3 sets in hope to find a lottery of normal one. Looks like i would not be able to experience a decent a planar iem yet 😢

[@lordlopes2424]

KZ is either brave or crazy to release the PR3 after what happen with the PR2.

[@donglemadness]

Can't blame them for being adventurous. It's not like they are selling $290 IEM. They are brave to try and innovate, sometimes it just doesn't turn out as intended, but when it does, the consumer will reap great rewards of having great audio gears at a very affordable price. I like KZ for being the catalyst for challenge to drive prices lower, and this helps more people to enjoy better gears without breaking the bank

[@lordlopes2424]

@@donglemadness Yeah,I can see that Hope this PR3 doesn't get anything funny in the future,we don't have a lot of budget planars in the market and anything is good

[@Whit-mh9nt]

​@@donglemadnessThis is why I remain a fan of KZ even though I had problems with pr1 pro, and some cheaper ones have gone imbalanced or died suddenly.. Still love the innovation at the price point, and when you get a good unit, it is really good.

[@CharlesSeraphDrums]

I’ve had an amazing experience with my PR2. So much so that I sold my Diokos to keep the PR2. I did find that if you remove the filter mesh, it improves vastly.

[@Whit-mh9nt]

@@CharlesSeraphDrums Just remove it entirely? Someone was telling me to use the filter from tanchim tanya..can you tell me what sort of improvement you got by removing it?

[@adnansamiayon573]

Have to listen them cause planar timber i dont like😅

[@donglemadness]

Then it is just better to stick with Dynamic Drivers because planar sound is planar sound, due to much faster transients they offer

[@mangodoy1144]

Hahaha just bought PR2 on last Friday😂😂😂

[@camotech1314]

Now you gotta get the pr3 haha 😅

[@stale_.]

I have one too. I love the pr2. No way I'm buying the pr3 at this point. No reason.

[@matusjurcik6974]

it seems that KZ has another qc issues with this one also (Pr3)...

[@donglemadness]

That's a possibility

[@matusjurcik6974]

@@donglemadness master Yoda speaks!

[@Shinjutsu211]

PR3 is a downgrade from PR2, right ?

[@donglemadness]

I would say yes, especially if you prefer not to have more energy and emphasis on the upper Mids

[@mangodoy1144]

​@@donglemadnessthanks God its a downgrade hahahha

[@HorizontePorDoSol5390]

​@@donglemadnessPor que você acha que o PR3 é um downgrade do PR2? 🤔

[@terrano4392]

Just don't buy any kz,too much qc issues😅😅😅

[@donglemadness]

Lol

[@mangodoy1144]

Mine sound very good

[@Mpho-Mokonyane]

But my PR3 has no issues. I've bought many other models from KZ, and I don't like their marketing approach. However, quality control issues exist with every brand, even some expensive ones; it's just that people exaggerate them for KZ.

[@terrano4392]

@@Mpho-Mokonyane bro,you just get lucky that's all.

[@heyking8583]

So same as moondrop